Chef

Busy Bees; Hampstead; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development & career prog

Hive benefits and discounts

Up to 28 days holiday incl bank hols

Birthday off

25% childcare discount

Family leave & return bonus

Peppy menopause support

Salary Finance

EAP & Mental Health First Aiders

Cycle to Work

Pension via Cushon

PMI discount

Job summary

Busy Bees West Hampstead Fortune Green nursery in London is seeking a Chef to prepare healthy, nutritious meals for young children and oversee kitchen operations, ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance. You will support children's growth and development while working in a nurturing environment.

The role offers opportunities to lead kitchen activities, contribute to the Bee Curious curriculum, and benefit from Busy Bees’ extensive employee benefits, including discounts, generous holidays,

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding – each child is unique.
• Food hygiene standards and safe food handling required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Skills

Experience in catering or kitchen ops

Empathy and understanding

Food Hygiene

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2+)

Job description

Role Overview:

Join Our Team at Busy Bees – Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Are you passionate about cooking and providing nutritious meals for young children? As a Chef at Busy Bees, you’ll be a key part of our kitchen team, preparing healthy meals that support children's growth and development. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a nurturing environment where you will contribute to the wellbeing of children while gaining valuable experience in catering within the early years sector.

About Us

Busy Bees is the UK's leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries across the UK and more overseas. We are dedicated to giving every child the best start in life and are proud to have won awards for our workplace culture. At Busy Bees, we ensure that every member of our team feels heard, valued, and nurtured.

Why Work at Busy Bees?

We offer a supportive environment that empowers you to create engaging, educational spaces where children can thrive. As part of our team, you’ll be introduced to our unique Bee Curious curriculum, designed to foster curiosity and confidence in young learners.

Our Charitable Commitment

Through our partnership with BBC Children in Need, we offer fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children's lives.

About our Nursery

Busy Bees West Hampstead Fortune Green, rated Good by Ofsted, accommodates 40 children and features multiple spacious rooms, each dedicated to a specific age group. This design allows children to develop at their own pace alongside peers at a similar stage, fostering friendships throughout their nursery experience. Conveniently located just a 5-minute bus ride or a 15-minute walk from West Hampstead station (Jubilee, Overground, Thameslink) and right next to Fortune Green Park, our nursery offers easy access for families. We provide complimentary lunches for our children, and our bright, airy rooms are filled with endless opportunities for exploration based on individual interests, blending a Montessori approach with a variety of educational toys, role play equipment, and activity corners. Whether your child enjoys reading, engaging in sensory play, or learning about animals, there is always something to keep them busy and engaged.

Busy Bees Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our ‘Hive’ benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off – it’s our gift to you!
• 25% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Easy access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

But wait, there’s more! You'll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive - offering huge array huge of retail discounts helping your money to go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area sharing the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Ideal Candidate:

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above).
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding – each child is unique.